Tailormade tour Green Spain coast and country tour Spain

Start your touring holiday by taking the ferry with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander, an overnight crossing taking just over 24 hours.

Arrive into Santander in the early evening and drive under half an hour to Santillana del Mar, a pretty mediaeval town just a few miles away from the coast. Stay at the Parador de Santillana Gil Blas. Explore the ochre-stone sloping streets and view the numerous historic buildings, some of which have either wooden galleries or iron balconies. These mediaeval streets, dotted with Renaissance palaces and historic defence towers, centre around the collegiate Church of Santa Juliana. This Romanesque church is of a surprising scale and grandeur for a small town, with an intriguing irregular layout, and a beautiful cloister of intricately carved pillars depicting animals, biblical scenes, Arabian and Norman motifs, and flora. One defensive tower, Merino’s Tower, is now a cultural centre that displays temporary, rotating exhibitions. For a taste of contemporary Cantabrian art, the works of local sculptor Jesús Otero can be seen in the museum of the same name. For those looking to spend some time relaxing in the Spanish sun, the beautiful Santa Justa beach is very nearby in Ubiarco. The small chapel of Santa Justa is built into the undulating rock face, giving the effect of a building that is totally at one with the landscape, and making this beach unique among Spanish beaches. Nearby interesting excursions include Dichoso Point in the town of Suances, a natural harbour backed by a cliff which is lined with shallow beaches perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Torrelavega is the second largest town in Cantabria. Its Viérnoles Monumental site is defined by the impressive 17th and 19th century palaces that surround it. Mid-August sees the Virgen Grande fiestas enliven the town with floral galas and parades. At your hotel, the rooms are light and airy, but with the formidable weight of history captured in the oak floors, dark wood shutters, and atmospheric beamed ceilings. Very typically Spanish, this hotel offers sensational food, luxury accommodation, and spectacular scenery, including the hotel’s own serene cloister. The Parador de Santillana Gil Blas and the surrounding area are the perfect start to this tour of Spain, offering a fascinating insight into the Cantabrian way of life that extends far beyond contemporary architecture into the region’s rich and extensive history.

Just outside the town are the Altamira Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site sometimes referred to as the Sistine Chapel of the Palaeolithic Age, with rock paintings of up to 20000 years old. We recommend stopping here before continuing your journey west. Although it is not usually possible to visit the caves themselves, there is an interesting museum where you can find out more about the paintings and the era from which they date and see a faithful replica of the original paintings. Drive westwards along Spain’s north coast, passing through coastal towns and villages as you head towards Hotel Palacio de Luces. The second stop on this luxury touring holiday brings you into Asturias, much like its Cantabrian neighbour, but with an even greater focus on the beauty and merits of climbing coastal villages. Perhaps stop to admire the El Capricho in Comillas, designed in the Modernist style by Antoni Gaudi, or take a break in the historic port of Llanes. 40 minutes west of Luces, your destination, Llanes is a town whose shore is lined with colourful ‘Cubes of Memory’, designed by Agustín Ibarrola. The old town stretches out on both sides of the Carrucedo River with rows of red and gold houses. Perhaps stop off for tapas in the early afternoon or visit the Gothic church and defensive tower. Spend two nights at the relaxing, five-star Palacio de Luces, set amid stunning scenery between the mountains and the sea.

You will have plenty of time on your fourth day to explore the surrounding area, including the nearby fishing village of Lastres and the mountainous landscapes inland which stretch to the Picos de Europa Mountains. Lastres is reminiscent of towns such as Positano and Ravello on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, but with clay-roofed houses and deep green vegetation that do not fail to single it out as Spanish. A lookout point at the top of the town allows you to capture the entire essence of the town in one sweeping view across the sea and down the zigzagging streets. A 45-minute drive west will take you to another famous coastal village: Luanco, with its eccentrically designed colourful beach-side houses, each of which seems to have its own unique take on the local architectural style. Further inland is the capital of Asturias, Oviedo, a town inextricably linked with the region’s monarchy and which bears the stamp of its mediaeval history on every street. This is an excellent excursion for those looking to delve into pre-Romanesque Spanish art and explore another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your hotel for these two nights is another property of gastronomic excellence, which serves highly refined local food. It occupies a privileged position inland from Lastres, in Luces, with rooms decorated with exceptional contemporary warmth, and with a glass-walled dining room that looks out across the fields and mountains in the distance.

Continue along the Asturian coastline from Luces into Galicia to the maritime city of A Coruña. Stay for two nights at Hesperia Finisterre, a five-star hotel located by the city’s harbour where you can easily walk to the Tower of Hercules, the oldest Roman lighthouse still in use today, dating back to the 2nd century and commissioned by the Emperor Trajan.

The old town of A Coruña stretches out onto a pretty peninsula. Its Romanesque streets and squares lead you past its collection of mediaeval churches. The Church of Santiago is perhaps the most beautiful, as it is the oldest in the city and is comprised of several pointed arches. The Santa María del Campo holds a very interesting Museum of Religious Art and has been declared a Historic-Artistic Monument; while the Convent of Santa Bárbara and its eponymous square are listed as a Historic-Artistic Site. Such traditional, austere buildings seem to submerge the town in its history and radiate a peaceful atmosphere. To see some of the town’s Baroque architecture, we would recommend visiting the 18th century Los Capuchinos church, and the narrow tower of the Convent of Santo Domingo. At the very centre of the town is the remarkable San Carlos Garden, encased in the walls of the fortress of San Carlos. This site also houses the tomb of Sir John Moore, an English soldier, and the Archive of the Kingdom of Galicia, making it an exceptional site with a rich and complicated history. At the end of the harbour, sits the Castle of San Antón, which dates from the 16th century and houses the Provincial Archaeological Museum, specialising in Galician prehistory. A sprawling, low-lying structure, it is surrounded on three sides by short rocky cliffs and the sea. The ramparts of the castle offer fantastic views back into the harbour, or off into the horizon. Three ultra-modern museums are dotted around the town: the Aquarium Finisterre, one of the largest in Spain; the Domus museum of human history; and the Science Museum with its inspirational planetarium. During your stay in northern Galicia you can also discover the wild ‘Costa da Morte’ and explore the Rías Altas, which are interspersed with quaint fishing villages. A wonderful stop-off point from which to explore the wonders of the Galician coast, its gastronomy, and its history, the Hesperia Finisterre is a contemporary hotel with refined chic designs and a private roof terrace.

Drive around one hour southwards to the Galician capital, Santiago de Compostela, where you stay for two nights at A Quinta da Auga Hotel Spa, a relaxing hotel just outside the city centre. Santiago de Compostela’s Romanesque cathedral was begun in the 11th century, but it wasn’t until the 13th century that it was finished. As a result, its design is a menagerie of different styles, which makes it a thoroughly fulfilling afternoon activity. It is reportedly the resting place of St James the Apostle, whose tomb can be viewed on-site. On the exterior, the wealth of decorative and iconographic details were added in the early 18th century, and are a breath-taking example of perfected Baroque art. The merit of this architectural tour-de-force continues inside with the Plateresque cloister, believed to be one of the most important in Spain. The annex rooms off this cloister include the library, Chapter Room, and the Chapel of Relics, which houses a series of wonderfully ornate golden pieces. The Ceremonial Room has a grandiose arched ceiling and corbels that depict a royal banquet. As the destination of the Saint James Pilgrimage Route, it is not hard to understand the attraction this building affords the city. Taking place in July, the fiestas in the name of the Apostle Santiago have been given the badge of International Tourist Interest, and fill the city’s streets with music, games, entertainment and, above all, colour.

Perhaps venture westwards to the Atlantic coast, where you can enjoy more of the stunning scenery from the inlets of the Rías Baixas, taste the sensational shellfish and white wine, and visit picturesque towns and villages. The green surrounding countryside is perfect for those looking to explore the area on foot, by hiking or fishing; while a range of sports such a golf and cycling are also available. The landscape is punctuated by the undulating roofs of Pazos, or ancient homes, Hórreos, or stone granaries, and forts, monasteries, and acropolises. To finish off your nights in Galicia, try some of the regional specialities. So close to the coast, seafood plays a large part in the local cuisine, particularly small crabs, barnacles, and a delicious angler fish stew. Besides this, Galician pork and beef are very well received, and best accompanied by local wines such as Monterrei, Ribeiro, Rías Baixas, and Valdeorras.

Drive eastwards through rolling green countryside and wooded hills towards León, an attractive walled city with an impressive cathedral, a Royal Pantheon, and a picturesque old town. On the way, perhaps stop off at Las Médulas, an ancient Roman gold mine with tunnels that can be explored. These craggy red cliffs rupture the serenity of the green countryside in quite a surreal way and appear almost to be a civilisation by themselves. Stay at the Parador de León for one night, situated within the Convent of San Marcos, which was once a hospital for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The town’s 13th century cathedral is known as The House of Light because of its beautiful stained glass, which is radiantly colourful and casts a golden glow across the cavernous building’s interior. Also standing out on León’s streets are Gaudi’s Casa de los Botines and his Palacio Episcopal de Astorga. Somewhat reserved in comparison to his other works, the Casa de los Botines has a soft, rounded appearance, reminiscent of fairytale inventions of mediaeval castles, both typical and atypical of his style, and tall, thin turrets. The MUSAC houses a vast collection of prestigious contemporary art. It aims to take a revolutionary outlook on modern work, which means that many of its exhibitions are very experimental and challenging. Modern aspects of the city contrast delightfully with the older features, such as the fairytale Palacio Episcopal de Astorga, with its thin arched windows and narrow turrets, framing León as a vital insight into the progression of this region of Spain.

Head northwards towards the Picos de Europa Mountains which divide Green Spain from the region of Castilla y León. Stay for one night at the Parador de Fuente Dé, a simple hotel nestled in a verdant valley, with the contrasting scenery of snowing mountain peaks. Its main building absorbs the beauty of the landscape through its many glass walls and windows, reflecting the green of the hills and the grey of the irregular rock faces. Visitors here can ascend the steep cableway which takes you to the Áliva viewpoint, from which you can take in breath-taking views of rocky peaks and forested valleys and appreciate the idyllic seclusion of this series of quaint, traditional villages and hamlets. Before leaving Cantabria, be sure to spend a few hours at the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana near the villages of Mieses and Turieno. Dating back to the 7th century, this is the former home of the monk Beato, known for his commentary on the apocalypse. This charming gold-stone building sits against a backdrop of densely packed trees, and with views down into the valley. The well-maintained building exudes a feeling of calm, which draws on the sublimity of the landscape. This seems a very fitting end to this diverse, luxury tour of Northern Spain.

Drive northwards to Santander to board your return ferry for the homeward journey, and overnight on the boat, arriving in the UK the next day.